Justin Allgaier - NNS Phoenix Preview

November 4, 2008

Justin Allgaier will be making his third start in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in the No. 12 Penske Truck Rental Dodge Charger for Penske Racing.

This will be Justin Allgaier’s first start on the one-mile Phoenix International Raceway (PIR).

Allgaier competed in the No. 12 for Penske Racing at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, November 1st, posting a 21st-place finish.

Allgaier’s first start for Penske Racing was at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway, October 10th in the Dollar General 300. Allgaier started in the 14th position and was running a solid 13th when he was caught up in a multi-car incident and finished 34th.

Just two days after Allgaier’s first start in the NNS for Penske Racing he won his sixth ARCA race of the year, claiming the 2008 ARCA RE/MAX Series Championship.

Allgaier has won on every type of ARCA track - speedway, superspeedway, short track, road course and dirt track.

Allgaier is known for his short track abilities, posting wins in the ARCA RE/MAX Series on tracks of one mile or less - Springfield Mile (2006), Salem Speedway (2007, 2008), Toledo Speedway (2008).

On September 17, Penske Racing announced the signing of 22-year old Allgaier to drive in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. Allgaier will drive a limited Nationwide Series schedule in 2008 and 2009.

Justin Allgaier Quote Re: Phoenix International Raceway:

“The one-mile tracks suit me more than a larger track so far in my career. I’ve had a lot of success on short tracks so I am very excited to be in the No. 12 Penske Truck Rental Dodge Charger for Saturday’s Nationwide race.

“Phoenix has such an incredible history with open wheel and stock cars so I am really looking forward to racing there. I know these Penske Racing guys in the shop have been working so hard on this Phoenix car. I would love to go to the desert and show them my appreciation with a good finish.”

Crew Chief Matt Gimbel on Phoenix International Raceway:

“Our main goal for Justin this weekend is to get him comfortable and give him a good balance. We learned a few things with our short track testing last week, which I think is going to help us this weekend. It gave us some tools to balance the car to go out solid in the race Saturday. Our goal is a top-20 or top-15 finish.

“Justin has a strong short track background and when we tested with him he seemed to really take right to the short track. I’m optimistic, cautiously optimistic about we will have this week. We have gained a lot of ground the last few weeks learning Justin and getting him into a car that better suits his driving style.”

Team Penske is one of the most successful teams in the history of professional sports. Cars owned and prepared by Team Penske have produced more than 500 major race wins, over 570 pole positions and 33 Championships across open-wheel, stock car and sports car racing competition. Over the course of its 52-year history, the team has also earned 17 Indianapolis 500 victories, two Daytona 500 Championships, a Formula 1 win and overall victories in the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. For 2018, Team Penske will compete in the Verizon IndyCar Series, the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR XFINITY Series and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The team also races in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, in a partnership with Dick Johnson Racing, as DJR Team Penske.